Letter: Big donor wouldn't help the small guy

John Bryant's article, "Kellogg committed to Battle Creek," caused me to laugh. As a member of the National Amateur Baseball Federation World Series Committee, I contacted Kellogg last year seeking their support.

When I suggested that they consider running a full-page ad in our program, I was turned down. I then suggested a smaller ad, for a couple hundred dollars, and again was told "no." Believe it or not, the exact words used by the person I spoke to was, "No, we just can't afford it this year."

I get that Kellogg has poured millions of dollars in to this community. I get that they are the largest corporate United Way donor.

I get that they are active donating food to the Food Bank and volunteering thousands of hours to local organizations and non-profits. I get that they support the Cereal Festival, Field of Flight and the Festival of Lights.

But what I don't get is they choose to snub their nose to an event such as the NABF World Series - an event that is economically good for the community.

Since 2006, when Battle Creek lost the Stan Musial World Series, a group of local citizens headed by Battle Creek Parks and Recreation director Terry Newton, have worked to bring a World Series event back to Battle Creek.

Their hard work paid off last year with Battle Creek hosting the 100th Anniversary of the NABF.

In an article regarding Kellogg's recent decision to build a regional service center in Grand Rapids, former Kellogg executive Joe Stewart said, "I feel disrespected and quite frankly, I feel spoken down to."

That is exactly the same feeling that I experienced, this year, when I again reached out to Kellogg for their support for the 2014 NABF World Series.

The answer was no.

Richard Schlatter

Battle Creek

NABF World Series Committee

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Letter: Big donor wouldn't help the small guy

John Bryant's article, 'Kellogg committed to Battle Creek,' caused me to laugh. As a member of the National Amateur Baseball Federation World Series Committee, I contacted Kellogg last year seeking